After the Second World War, the crown of being the first Turkish scientist at German Universities goes to him only. One of the most distinctive characteristics of Arbakan is his determination and stability in his ideals and convictions and his never acceptance of impossibility. He showed the world that the economical growth and development is possible within the Islamic principles. He struggled hard with his widely known three ideals of Liveable Turkey, Great Turkey Again, A New World.
He throughout his life propagated and also implemented practically the phenomenon of Self reliance, Industrial development and Inclusive growth. Once during his military service (1953), the colonel asked him “why do you want production machines this year while final products were imported from America Last year?” Arbakan replied that “These machines are in America, why we cannot have them?” This small incident reflects his vision of developed Turkey which he cherished even in such a young age.
After finishing military service, he returned to the university again and in 1956, he set up “GUMUS” Engine Company to produce the local engine as the first engine manufacturing company. Later the first Automobile named DEVRiM was produced from the same company which was set up by him. Since then the contribution of Arbakan to economy of Turkey began. At the time of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent birth of the Republic, the Turkish economy was underdeveloped: agriculture depended on outmoded techniques and poor-quality livestock, and Turkey’s industrial base was weak; the few factories producing basic products such as sugar and flour were under foreign control as a result of the capitulations.
World War I and the War of Independence (1919–22) also had extensively disrupted the Turkish economy. The loss of Ottoman territories, for example, cut off Anatolia from traditional markets. Agricultural output – the source of income for most of the population – had dropped sharply as peasants went to war. Even the production of wheat, Turkey’s main crop, was insufficient to meet domestic demand. By 1930, as a result of the world depression, external markets for Turkish agricultural exports had collapsed, causing a sharp decline in national income. After 1950 the country suffered economic disruptions about once a decade. The most serious crisis occurred in the late 1970s. By the late 1970s, Turkey’s economy had perhaps reached its worst crisis since the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
By 1979 inflation had reached triple-digit levels, unemployment had raised. The government was unable to pay even the interest on foreign loans. Many observers doubted the ability of Turkish politicians to carry out the needed reforms. But in mid 1960’s Arbakan entered the financial and economical sector of Turkey. In 1966 he became the president of Industry Division in the Union, of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey. In 1968, he became a member of Executive Board of the Union. In 1969, he was the president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.
From 1974 to 1978 the party was in different coalition governments and Arbakan was the assistant of prime minister and president of Economy council. During this period he focused on the material and moral development of Turkey, he played a crucial role in the Cyprus success, he pioneered the movement of heavy industry and agriculture. The ‘Anatolia’ Project’ that government initiated was the outcome of his policies, consistent struggle and the vision. The project includes the development of 22 dams, 19 hydraulic power plants, and the irrigation of 1.82 million hectares of land.
The result can be seen from the information that (as of March 2007) Turkey stood as the world’s largest producer of hazelnut, cherry, fig, apricot, quince and pomegranate; the second largest producer of watermelon, cucumber and chickpea; the third largest producer of tomato, eggplant, green pepper, lentil and pistacchio etc. Today the development of Anatolia has become an important Case study for many universities in terms of economical growth and the people of Anatolia are termed as ‘Anatolian Tigers’.
When he became Prime Minister in 1996, he tried to bring many reforms in economical policies and implemented many economic welfare programs, particularly promoted the heavy industries and agricultural sector. He focused on minimizing the external Debt that further saved the Turkey from going into the economical invasion of international powers. He called the existing international system a “Zionist order” and openly made it responsible for worldwide poverty. He challenged some conventional economic pillars such as the interest rate, which Islam rejects. He proclaimed that “Humanity owes everything to Islam. Our civilization is superior to the West”. Arbakan and his party have consistently criticized U.S. “imperialism,” accused NATO of exploiting Turkey, condemned Turks who favour their state’s integration with Western Europe as contemptible Westernizers, denounced Zionism. His ideology is set forth in a manifesto, entitled ‘Milli Gorus’ (National View), which he published in 1969. He dreamt of Turkey’s inter-gradations with the Islamic world, establishment an “Islamic NATO,” an Islamic Common Market, and an Islamic United Nations.
He surely, almost realised his dream of international economical unification of Muslims by taking the first and bold step for D-8 Movement by bringing together Eight Muslim countries Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. He succeeded in achieving the complete membership of “Organization of Islamic Conference”. When he signed a $23 billion gas pipeline deal with Iran, Thomas Friedman of The New York Times wrote an article titled “Who Lost Turkey?” in which he wrote, In fact, Turkey is not really lost. It remains a secular, pro-Western, democratic state. However, the unprecedented emergence of an Islamist at the pinnacle of power raises a warning flag for Americans, who can do much to help insure that Turkey does not become “lost.” With Arbakan, the political and geographical perceptions of Muslims have changed in Turkey and in Islamic World.
Islam, in the last 200 years history of Turkey was imprisoned to the hearts and mosques, and Muslims were treated as second class people. With him Muslims of Turkey believed that they must have the strongest voice in the future of their country. And this geography indeed belongs to them. He pointed to the importance of the power of money and independence. He demonstrated people, how they are exploited by a happy minority, through high interest rates and other tools. He believed that Muslim Countries are indeed rich in terms of the diversity of resources and he showed how these resources can be used during his tenures as prime minister and deputy prime minister.
Today Turkey is standing as developed economy. The country is among the world’s leading producers of agricultural products; textiles; motor vehicles, ships and other transportation equipment; construction materials; consumer electronics and home appliances. In recent years, Turkey had a rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major role in industry, banking, transport, and communications. Though many others may also have contributed to Turkey’s economical development, but the contribution of Arbakan during the time of crisis and at Turkey’s initial journey towards development with complete integration of Islamic principles is remarkable. In spite of all the hurdles, problems and issues in his political career he contributed much to the Turkey’s economical development. He left this world. But his concepts, ideals and dreams are engraved in the minds and hearts of Turkish people and also among the Muslims worldwide. Not only his followers but his strong opponents are found saying, “He would be always remembered for his services to the nation”.
Muhammed ÖZDEMİR / Milli Gazete